1 Apri, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. _ 3813 
DISHASE IN SUGAR-CANE. 
Tr is reported on what appears to be good authority that a disease has broken 
out in the cane-fields on the Clarence River. It affects the Daniel Dupont cane, 
and seems to be most in evidence in the cane planted on forest land. It is 
remarkable that when in 1872 a disease attacked the Bourbon cane in Queens- 
land it first made its appearance on the forest fields, the scrub following later 
on. From the description of the Clarence River disease, it would appear to be 
identical with the Bourbon “ rust,” as it was called. This attacked the cane 
after about 10 months’ growth. Up to that time the canes looked green and. 
healthy ; then some obstruction appeared to exist in the top joint, and the top 
decayed so that the young top shoot could be pulled outand the cane gradually 
rotted away. Old planters will remember how the Bourbon cane had to be 
rooted out and harder varieties substituted. Perhaps the disease on the 
Clarence may be identical with that of Queensland. If so, a stand-over crop 
will be a thing of the past with the planters. in that district, if, indeed, it does 
not lead, as it did in Queensland in the case of the Bourbon cane, to the entire 
extirpation of the Daniel Dupont and the substitution of some other suitable 
variety of cane. Still “one swallow does not make a summer,” nor does one 
year’s sickness make a confirmed invalid. Another season may see the disease 
vanish. At all events, let us hope so in the interests of our brother planters 
in the South. 
POULTRY QUARANTINE IN VICTORIA. 
In will be news (says Garden and Field) to many South Australians that that 
worst pest of the poultry-yard in this colony—the fowl tick or bug—is not at 
present found in Victoria. It is believed by some authorities to be identical. 
with the camel bug, and to have been introduced into Australia with the early 
shipments of camels. Unfortunately, it has spread almost all over this colony, 
and wherever it is found necessitates the most watchful care on the part of 
the poultry-keeper. With a view to prevent its introduction, a series of regu- 
lations have been drawn up by the Government of that colony, by which it is 
enacted— : x 
That no one shall introduce any kind of poultry or cages which have been 
during the preceding 6 months in contact with tick. 
Poultry or fittings must be introduced at a port or place appointed. 
Forty-eight hours’ notice must be given to the inspector, with full 
particulars, and the owner must assist the inspectorin examining the birds, &e. 
A statutory declaration must be furnished declaring poultry fittings free 
from tick for 6 months. 
POULTRY NOTES. 
SaLeENe pepper, or chopped chilies, given in the food will often stimulate 
aying. 
Sunflower seeds give a gloss to the plumage. Limeis good for bone-growth 
and egg-shell material. 
Salt meat will often deter hens from feather-pulling. A dose of turpentine 
will often cure the gapes. : 
The best cure for warts is a urine dip. 
A mixture of fresh lard and coal oil in equal parts applied with a feather 
will cure scaly leg. 
A nest-ege will usually stop a hen scratching the nest; if not, use shavings. 
Sulphur blown down a chicken’s throat will cure roup. 
Green bone is superior to grain as egg-producing material; 1 lb. per day 
will be sufficient for sixteen hens. 
For diphtheria a French remedy, said to be infallible, is—Glycerine, dis- 
tilled water, 80; borate of soda, 8; hydrochlorate of cocaine, 1. ‘he remedy 
is applied with a wing feather pushed far down the bird’s throat. 
